BHETA lobbies Dunelm on Bank Holiday deliveries dispute.Following extensive reaction from housewares members, expressing their dismay at Dunelm’s intention to impose non-collection fines on suppliers who fail to keep their premises open on Bank Holidays, BHETA has met with Dunelm seeking a positive resolution of the issue.Housewares sector director Will Jones secured a meeting with Dunelm’s supply chain and central merchandising director, Gavin Chappel and company secretary, Dawn Durrant. The agenda was firstly, the impact and cost implications of opening on Bank Holidays purely on the off-chance that Dunelm orders or collections might be received and secondly, the negative message that threatening the imposition of fines sent out to suppliers.In an open and cordial discussion, it was agreed that the ‘collection fine’ proposal sent completely the wrong signal and that communications thus far had tended to create misunderstanding and confusion which Dunelm undertook to clarify with individual suppliers. Dunelm was however firm in reiterating its intention to implement the new approach to Bank Holidays in the interests of maintaining edge in the modern retail environment. It explained that the twenty companies who supply 50% of its business are already on board with the idea and with a further 20% coming from direct imports, it is important that those who supply the remaining 30%, including affected BHETA members can come into line.While BHETA sees its role as one of mediation on this issue, it is actively pursuing further engagement with Dunelm’s CEO and Chairman to expand the discussion to the overall negative impact that the company’s continued requests for additional supplier support is creating.Commenting on the current state of play, Will Jones said, “This is clearly an important issue from many points of view, and also a very emotive one. BHETA is keen to take a diplomatic approach with an eye to future good relationships between Dunelm and supplier members, but we are determined to represent the membership on this and to achieve a practical and positive outcome.”Source: BHETANovember 2018